What Happens If I Sign Myself Out of Care?

What Happens If I Sign Myself Out of Care?

If you sign yourself out of the foster care system, you need to be equipped and prepared to achieve self-sufficiency. One valuable tool to help you create a plan for life after foster care is the Transition Plan Resource Guide (OCFS-5111) from the Office of Children and Family Services. This guide offers resources in the following topics:

Essential Documents

  • What are essential documents?
  • Obtaining your essential documents 

Health Care 

Education

  • Applying for scholarships and tuition assistance for college or vocational training

Housing 

  • Qualifying for rental assistance or public housing

Services

  • Domestic Violence
  • Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
  • Runaway and Homeless Youth information
  • LGBTQ+
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

Money Management

  • Monitoring your credit
  • Managing your personal finances
  • Using a budget

Employment

  • Finding jobs, careers, and apprenticeships

Expectant Parenting/Parenting Youth

  • Finding child care providers
  • Learning about child care safety
  • Applying for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to obtain:
    • Breastfeeding support
    • Nutritional Education
    • Referrals
    • Nutritious foods 

 

 

After doing your research, talk to your caseworker about filling out the Transition Plan document to make sure you are ready to transition out of care.  

If you're transitioning from foster care and unsure about who you can count on for ongoing support, consider creating a Permanency Pact. Because some relationships and connections can terminate when you leave care, this tool helps you identify those adults who will continue to provide various supports through and beyond the transition from care. This list may include current relationships or adults with whom you've had a previous connection you'd like to re-establish.